Saints have not been perfect in their opening six Premier League games, but they have improved with each game and when the fixture list was announced most would have taken 7 points from the opening 6 fixtures, but now comes the crunch period.

The opening day at Tottenham Hotspur was a disaster, a disorganised performance, riddled with individual error and with 70 minutes of the next game at home to Leeds United gone, at 2-0 down things didn't look much better, but the season changed with a substitution or two, off went Elyounoussi for Joe Aribo, off went Jan Bednarek in possibly what could have been his last Premier League action for the club and suddenly the game changed and so did the season.

But Saints were and even after the 4 new signings on deadline day are a work in progress.

I said at the start of the season that the problem wasn't scoring goals, but stopping them going in and I still stand by that, with 7 goals scored in the opening 6 fixtures we are around mid table in the Premier League scoring charts, the top 10 clubs have scored more than us, but the other 9 have not, it is still not great, but we are scoring goals and making chances and but for that awful miss by Che Adams on Saturday at Wolves, things would look a lot better, yes we still need to score more, but it is about just being more clinical than a major problem.

But in defence after 6 goals shipped in the first two games the real issue was clear, we could not keep putting pressure on the attacking player to score by giving other teams two goal leads through shoddy play and in the main in the next four games Ralph Hasenhuttl has changed and evolved his tactics and done that, there are some who will be uncharitable and say it is someone else making the decisions, but that is being biased, Ralph has a coaching team, has does any manager, he needed some experienced input and he now has it.

So having sorted out the back line and indeed brought in some more bodies to bolster it further in Duje Caleta-Car and Juan Larios, we need to sort out the scoring issue.

As I said I think our tactics have evolved, but we still have some players capable of scoring goals, in recent games we have played a formation similar to that employed by Ronald Koeman, a lone central striker flanked by two attacking players who also protect the flanks, but none of these players were particularly free scoring, the most Pelle, Mane or Long got in a season individually was 12. We didn't have one individual striker, what we had was three that could get us 25-30 goals a season and that is what I think we are working towards here.

At Wolves Adam Armstrong again worked hard and created chances and I think he will get goals, it is the other side that we need to look at Moi Elyounoussi is not the right man for the position in truth, but Sekou Mara and new signing Sam Edozie might well be, so I am not too worried about the goalscoring at present, I think it will come.

So having come through 6 games where many Saints fans thought we would be lucky to get 3 points and some even suggested we would not get even 1, we sit on 7 with something to build on, it should be noted at this point that at the same point last year we had yet to win a game and only had 4 points, but having got through the hard bit this year, now comes 3 games where we are playing sides who sit in the table around us.

Brentford have made a good start, but they are still only two points above us and we would overtake them with a win on Saturday, Villa sit 4th from bottom with 4 points at present and Everton only a place above on goal difference.

These are the three games that will point to where we can go forward this season, at best a three game winning streak would truly put us into the top 10 and looking up the table, 4 points would keep us where we are and to lose at least two of the three games would leave us struggling a bit.

As I said I am not too concerned at the moment with looking over our shoulders, I think that with our new additions we are far stronger than we were a year ago, we just need to cut out the lapses in concentration at the back and be more clinical in front of goal, the new coaching set up seem to have been working on that, we have seen results just not perfect yet.

So what we need to do now is really click as a unit, Brentford have done that and are taking the plaudits, but they start Saturday only two points above us, our first task is to make sure that gap doesn't widen come Saturday evening and hopefully puts us above them.

The table after 6 games made some strange reading, yes the so called Big Six were again rising to the upper echelons with only Brighton in the middle upsetting the established order, but sides that were expected to be struggling haven't so far, a look at the bottom 5 shows only Forest in the bottom 3 surrounded by sides that you would not expect to be there and i suspect at least a couple of them won't be by the end of the season, Aston Villa, Everton, Leicester & West Ham will surely be too good to struggle all season.

We play Villa & Everton after Brentford & we have to make sure that we despatch them now before they have a head of steam up, if we do we have taken a big jump forward and it will set us up nicely for the run in to the break for the World Cup.

So there are three crucial games in the offing and Saints need the backing they got against Chelsea for the visit of Brentford, with prices lowered for this game and adult seats available for as low as £25 in many parts of the ground, this is one that should hopefully see a near sell out or at least should do given our start to the season.

Photo: Action Images

IanRC added 10:08 - Sep 6 Absolutely agree, except that Leicester, Villa and Everton are too good to go down. Wolves was unfortunate but we have the chance to really kick on now. COYS.
1

Block8 added 10:10 - Sep 6 I have a slight concern that signing Caleta-Car may make Ralph use three at the back again but we will see. Brentford next and they offer a very fast paced counter attack which we need to be wary of when pressing. Having said that I believe we now have the tools to play quicker in transition ourselves. We are also able to put out a stronger starting eleven plus have strength off the bench. If we can stop the silly mistakes both in front of goal and around our box, particularly the gaps out wide, we will have a good season. One at least where we can attend games with a bit more confidence and maybe make a bit more noise? COYR

3

halftimeorange added 10:21 - Sep 6 This league is probably tougher this season than it has ever been and Saints could easily get caught up in a relegation battle despite the potentially clever purchases of young talent. We have to lock the door against Brentford, a similar set-up to ourselves but, one that's largely been together for three seasons and with a shrewd manager. This could be a hugely entertaining game but, if it goes the wrong way there is a risk of disappointment or dejection settling over or youthful side. Villa got a decent draw against Man C and Everton predictably fought tooth and nail to hold Liverpool. I think these are three defining games for Ralph. I'd like to see Stuart Armstrong start instead of Elyounoussi and Edozie instead of Adam Armstrong who I don't think will score that many. We can't do much about the lack of attacking height so, maybe JWP could change the habit of a lifetime and cross at ground level. Mara should also be given more of a chance to shine. Ten minutes here and there is simply not enough, especially if we're chasing a game. Reliable cover for KWP's foraging runs (I think he's our best attacker) is also a must.

0

highfield49 added 11:54 - Sep 6 Keeping Ivan Toney quiet will be a challenge and we need someone in midfield who can focus better than Diallo. His concentration lapses cause pressure on the defence and break up the momentum in attack, useful squad player but not yet good enough for 90 minutes. I'd probably give Maitland-Niles his first start now that he's had a chance to train with the squad. This is going to be quite a season and I think that there are going to be a few teams unexpectedly dragged into the relegation zone. Leicester have experienced players but cracks are developing and widening, Forest have signed a glut of talented (ish) players that don't seem to work as a team and it's no surprise that they're propping up the table. Always, well usually, the optimist I think our squad is going to give most teams a hard battle for points in the coming months. For that to happen though somebody has to start hitting the net regularly rather than occasionally and I think Aribo and Mara could provide that impetus.

3

felly1 added 18:06 - Sep 6 Agree with your post Highfield49. Really hope the likes of Aribo and Mara can chip in with some goals. It worries me we'll end up a team thats known for nice football played by talented youngsters but will fall short through a blunt attack.
1

AmericanSaint added 02:52 - Sep 7 I think Stu A should start for Mo, I like Maitland-Niles for Diallo, but think AA should start. his speed and tenacity on the left have been very positive for the team. I liked Aribo in the last game as he held the ball well, just a little concerned on his tracking back as he seems to lag once in a while. I agree with all, as these games in September could be a slingshot if we win them, but there are no easy games in PL and I think these games are all 50-50. I just hope VAR is not involved in them like last weekend. Ok, so let's get to work and beat Brentford and go from there. COYR

2

Peterx added 15:27 - Sep 7 Che holding the ball up and laying off (to some extent but less so perhaps) has been a feature of our play and has worked well in general. But to me we persevered to long with it at Wolves. We should not be totally dependent on that style of play and if you have a front 4 combination selecting 4 from AA, Mara, Edozie, Djenepo, Stuart then you have a lot of trickery and pace that will cause a different problem without bullying teams' defences. Would like to see this for at least 30 mins or so depending on the game situation. Moi for me is more of a passer than a mover but in the last game it was noticeable on at least one occasion he held onto the ball too long when we were breaking. His lack of pace might ultimately be his downfall or possibly there is a role for him in defensive midfield. To me he is not a starter right now & I would put Diallo in that category as well for now & give Maitland Niles a go in Defensive midfield. These next 3 games are key and would take 5 points from them if offered now for sure. On the whole though pretty upbeat about it all.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Southampton Polls